The acting Bulomarer African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forward operating base commander, Major Don Naijuka had a fruitful interaction with 31 elders, religious leaders and Kuutnuwarey district local authorities at Alfaaruuk Primary School.
The meeting was aimed at cultivating harmony and highlighting security concerns including the ongoing night curfew, the need for collaborative information sharing and the voluntary return of military stores that are in the hands of civilians and allaying people’s fear that UPDF might revenge on the death of their combatants during Al-Shabaab attack on the base on 25th May 2023.
Maj Don Naijuka informed leaders that ATMIS forces’ core mandate is to support Somali Security Forces (SSF) to stamp out the Al-Shabaab mayhem against the people of Somalia so that peace and stability can prevail. “We stand together with the people of goodwill irrespective of culture or tribe. We should all strive for peace. Our utmost objective is to protect Somalis from Al-Shabaab mayhem,” said Maj Naijuka.
The Base commander, called upon the leaders to advise their communities to protect their children from joining terror groups. He cautioned them that the same children would be used to plant bombs along the roads that can eventually hit one of them as they are travelling.
Kuutnuwarey District Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Sheikh Asuman, pledged to cooperate and share information concerning security. He implored fellow counterparts to support the government cause saying that it is through the defeat of Al-Shabaab that peace, stability and service deliveries will be realized.
The Somali National Army (SNA) Commanding Officer based in Bulomarer, Col Abdu Salat challenged leaders to heed curfew time. “Preventing vehicle movement at night is a tested measure to disarm Al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised bombs and without that, Al-Shabaab cannot fight.”
He further remarked that the security of the people and their property is the foundation for the development of the country. As such he reassured SNA’s will to work together with all stakeholders to defeat enemies of peace
